DAR AL HARB - AUSTRALIA: HILALI WAS NOT FIRED

We didn't sack mufti, say Muslims

MUSLIM cleric Sheik Taj al Din al Hilali is still the mufti, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) has said.

AFIC President Ikebal Patel has today denied a report in Fairfax newspapers which claimed AFIC had sacked the sheik from the position of mufti, and abolished the position. "No, we haven't sacked the mufti ... (Sheik Hilali) is still the mufti," Mr Patel told Sky News this morning.
He said the report, which claimed AFIC had severed all ties with Sheik Hilali, could be discounted.

However, he confirmed the sheik's pay had been suspended some time last year.

"The position of mufti itself is very much there and the ... incumbent, while not being paid for the position, is still the holder of the position," he said.

Mr Patel said it was up to the Australian National Imams Council to decide the fate of the mufti, and he expected a decision to be made by the end of June.

"If the position should remain, we are quite happy to be guided by the National Council of Imams," he said.

"In terms of where (Sheik Alhilali) stands with AFIC, his salary was suspended some time last year, (but) the title of mufti still stands and we haven't decided one way or another," he said.
Mr Patel said he had some issues with Sheik Alhilali's term as mufti, which included controversial comments likening young women to meat, but believed the sheik was the best man for the job.

"He is definitely one of the most knowledgeable, most qualified in Australia, but having said that, if he wants to remain mufti then there would have to be some very strict guidelines that would have to be placed," he said.

"He might need some resources in terms of having people who can speak English (to) articulate his thoughts clearly, so there's no excuse ever put forward that he was misrepresented.

"I will probably be scoffed at when I say this, but he's probably one of the most moderate of the imams in Australia, but he certainly doesn't bring that out in his approaches with the media," he said.


The original story about Hilali being fired can be found here: (link)


Pertinent Links:

1) We didn't sack mufti, say Muslims